BREAKING: Under-the-radar Mariners signing labeled ‘dark horse candidate’ to make Opening Day roster
As the 2025 MLB season nears, teams are assessing their rosters, and several overlooked players are making strong cases for Opening Day spots. One such player for the Seattle Mariners is Rowdy Tellez, who recently joined the team on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer views Tellez as a potential dark horse to earn a spot on the Mariners’ Opening Day roster.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, Tellez brings power and experience to Seattle’s camp, adding depth at first base and designated hitter. If he delivers offensively during Spring Training, he could prove to be a valuable addition to the lineup.
Rowdy Tellez a ‘dark horse’ candidate to capitalize on spring training invite, make Opening Day roster
The Mariners’ roster is highly competitive, featuring a mix of young, homegrown talent and seasoned players, including non-roster invitees, leading to intense competition this spring. Rowdy Tellez’s Major League experience and left-handed power could give him an edge in securing a spot on the team.
Seattle’s offense has been a weakness in recent years, and improving it is a top priority for 2025. While the Mariners have strong pitching, their lineup has struggled with consistency, particularly in generating power and getting on base. In 2024, they ranked near the bottom in several offensive categories, including batting average and OPS.
Tellez could help address this gap. Despite down years in 2023 and 2024, he’s just a couple of seasons removed from a 35-homer performance with the Brewers in 2022. When fully locked in, he’s a legitimate power threat who can punish right-handed pitchers and provide balance to the lineup. Seattle could use another left-handed bat with pop, especially since the DH position is currently shared by Donovan Solano, Mitch Garver, and Mitch Haniger.
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If Tellez performs well in Spring Training, he could force his way onto the roster as a platoon option at first base or DH. His situation mirrors Mike Ford’s impact on the 2023 Mariners, where Ford provided a surprising power boost after being called up midseason, slugging 16 home runs in just 83 games.
Tellez could play a similar role, offering a left-handed power bat when needed. Whether he makes the big-league roster or starts in Triple-A, he could become an important part of Seattle’s lineup in 2025.